The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation, a Supporting Organization of ECCF, is excited to announce the newest addition to its Family of Funds: The Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund. It will support the installation and maintenance of solar panels on Eau Claire's North and Memorial High Schools.

Solar on Schools was started by the nonprofit Couillard Solar Foundation (CSF). This project strives to reduce schools' carbon footprints as well as to reduce their energy costs. Once the solar panels are installed, the Eau Claire Area School District will save over $20,000 annually. Because it will be funded entirely through private donations, there will be no cost to the District.

In addition to reducing schools’ energy costs, Solar on Schools educates students about renewable energy sources that are environmentally and financially beneficial. It aims to show them how clean, affordable energy can be produced on their schools.  

The project’s goal is to install solar panels on 100 schools across Wisconsin within the next 4 years. Cal Couillard, a Memorial graduate, would like Memorial and North High Schools to lead the way towards achieving this goal by installing 100 kilowatt solar arrays (360 panels) on each school. 

Mr. Couillard has already donated half of the required solar panels, and an anonymous donor will match his gift when between $250,000 and $275,000 is raised for installation, maintenance, and other related costs. CSF is asking for community support to help them meet this goal.

If you'd like to help, you can donate online to the Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund or you can send a check to the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation at PO Box 511, Eau Claire, WI  54702.  For information about making a gift through an IRA rollover or gift of stock, call 715-552-3801 or email [email protected].

To learn more, you can contact Executive Director Sarah French at [email protected]  or (715) 852-3015.